[Full tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 p.a.) plus £4,000 per year top-up for 4 years. Generous funding is also available for training, and conference and workshop attendance.]

This PhD studentship at the University of Sheffield offers an exciting opportunity to advance computational modelling for nuclear reactor thermal hydraulics. Co-sponsored by Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB and supported by STFC Daresbury Laboratory, the project is based in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering. The research addresses the limitations of traditional nuclear reactor design tools, which rely on simplified 'sub-channel' and 'system' codes. While these methods are efficient, they lack the accuracy needed for modern reactor designs and complex safety scenarios. High-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) provides detailed modelling but is computationally expensive for full-scale applications.

To bridge this gap, the project focuses on developing a low-cost Coarse-Grid CFD (CG-CFD) methodology. This approach combines the efficiency of sub-channel methods with the spatial modelling flexibility of CFD. The second phase of the project will involve developing advanced models for phase momentum and energy transfer, validating predictions against high-quality experimental data (such as void fraction and pressure drop), and simulating complex 3D flow scenarios including rod bowing, flow blockages, and part-length rods. The outcomes are expected to significantly improve the accuracy and robustness of thermal-hydraulic tools, supporting the optimization and safety of current and next-generation nuclear reactors.

The studentship is open primarily to UK applicants, though exceptional EU and international candidates may be considered. Applicants should hold a first class or upper second-class degree in engineering, physics, or applied mathematics. Interests in CFD, computer programming, and nuclear engineering are desirable but not essential. The student will regularly present research outcomes to the project team and sponsors in both written and oral formats.

Funding includes full tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (currently £20,780 per annum) plus a £4,000 per year top-up for four years. Additional funding is available for training, conferences, and workshop attendance. The studentship is available to start in October 2026. For further information or informal discussion, contact Professor Shuisheng He at [email protected]. Applications should be submitted online via the University of Sheffield PhD application form, including a CV and two references, and indicate that you are replying to this advert. The closing date is 12 March 2026 or until the position is filled.